'West Ham have Julen Lopetegui replacement' with sack decision 'soon' - Insider

Julen Lopetegui is facing increasing sack pressure at West Ham following the 4-1 defeat to Man City, according to the club's former senior scout.

Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the boss has been walking a tightrope for "weeks" as the Hammers weigh up a decision.

A four-game unbeaten run against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton had eased the pressure with Lopetegui fighting for his position.

However, the Man City defeat followed a 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, and the manner of both defeats have piled the pressure onto the manager's role once more.

Brown revealed that questions are being asked about Lopetegui's position behind the scenes, with a growing feeling that he could be relieved of his duties soon.

Football Insider revealed on 3 January that the manager could lose his job unless the team's performances and results improved quickly.

Now, after another heavy defeat, the board have been given a decision to make.

Julen Lopetegui faces West Ham sack after Man City defeat

Brown told Football Insider in December that Graham Potter is ready to take over at the London Stadium if Lopetegui is dismissed from his position.

Now, the former Hammers scout, who has worked closely with a number of top-level managers including the likes of Moyes, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson, has insisted the board could make their decision soon as concerns continue to grow.

"That defeat has undoubtedly raised the pressure on him," he told Football Insider.

"At the moment it's like every time they win and look like things might have clicked, they go and lose, and when they lose, they get beaten by three or four goals.

"It's been a serious concern at West Ham for weeks and he's been walking a tightrope.

"There was talk before that other managers had already been lined up, one of those being Graham Potter, so plans are in place if they pull the trigger.

"From what I know, questions are being asked behind the scenes and they could make a decision soon.

"Results simply haven't been good enough, and it's not as if the performances have been better and they've been unlucky.

"There has been some frustration from the fans and concerns on the board, so the pressure on his position is certainly growing."

In other news, Man City could trigger Mohammed Kudus' release clause.

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